The running back spot for the Washington Huskies is in a bit of a precarious spot this spring.

Though the Huskies have seven backs on scholarship, four of them are either out completely or limited in spring ball. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said at the outset of the spring period that he was a bit surprised by the fact UW had numbers but not much depth in the backfield. The Huskies have taken steps to try and correct that.

Wayne Taulapapa, a transfer running back from Virginia and the Cavaliers’ leading rusher last season, has committed to transfer to UW.

The addition should provide a bit of a veteran presence to the room. Taulapapa served as a team captain at Virginia and was originally a member of the 2016 signing class. He served a two-year mission trip before enrolling at UVA. He’ll have one year of eligibility.

Taulapapa ran for 324 yards on 62 carries last season in a particularly pass-happy offense. Concussions limited him to seven games, but he still managed to finish as the team’s leading rusher and the leading ball-carrier among running backs. For his career, he has run for 1,192 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 12 scores in 2019. Among ACC backs with at least 50 carries a season ago, Taulapapa posted the 10th-best rushing grade per PFF.

He joins former New Mexico back Aaron Dumas as transfer additions to the room so far. Other scholarship backs include Jay’Veon Sunday, Caleb Berry, and injured players in Cam Davis, Richard Newton, Emeka Megwa, and Sam Adams II.